Air compressor



July 17, 1962 Filed Feb. 13, 1959 N. P. LAPIKEN AIR COMPRESSOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INV EN TOR.

BY @XW wf/f ATTORNEY July 17, 1962 N. P. LAPIKEN 3,044,685

AIR COMPRESSOR Filed Feb- 13, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. E

INVENTOR. NICHOLAS LAP/KEN BY MKM ATTORNEY July 17, 1962 N. P. LAPIKEN 3,044,685

AIR COMPRESSOR Filed Feb. 13, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. FI 6 /Vlcf/oL/as R LAP/KEN BY www M1# A TTORNEY United States Patent O 3,044,685 AIR CGMPRESSOR Nicholas l. Lapiiren, 20'7 Benson Ave., Vallejo, Calif.

Filed Feb. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 793,072 4 Claims. (Cl. Q30-131 llhis invention relates to an lair compressor. Attempts were made in the past to construct a centrifugal multi-stage -air pump with an impeller in which blades lare arranged in a plurality of concentric series, the

pressed air is passed to the second stage of compressionto the second concentric series of blades of the same width but arranged on a larger circle, and therefore occupying a larger volume of space than the first stage, but rotating in the opposite direction. Hence, the air upon entering the second series is not compressed but is permitted to expand to till `the volume thereof. Thereupon, the air passes to the third stage-the third concentric series of blades located on a circle of still larger diameter and occupying still larger volume and Athus allowing the air to expand still further to ll the volume of the third concentric series of blades. This process is repeated until the compressed air has passed through the last series of blades. Therefore, the pump constructed as above described, cannot produce compression beyond a few pounds per square inch.

It is an object of this invention to provide a centrifugal multi-stage air pump with an impeller having a plurality of concentric series of blades in each stage in which the blades of each series are identical and the alternate series rotate in opposite directions at the same angular speed; and in which pump the air is admitted at its center and is progressively passed from one stage to another and progressively compressed in each of said stages.

Another object of this invention is to provide a centrifugal air pump of `the type described in which the area of the blade in each series progressively diminishes from the center of the pump toward its periphery, so that the air is progressively compressed by each of the series of the blades and thrown outwardly to the next adjoining series.

Another object of this invention is to provide a multistage air compression pump in which each stage of cornpression is formed by a series of concentrically arranged blades, alternating series rotating in opposite directions, each stage of compression occupying progressively smaller volume in direction to the periphery of the pump so that the air drawn into the pump at its center is progressively compressed into smaller volume in each successive stage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a special blade for said impeller which effectively compresses air and throws the same against a blade of the next series at a substantially right angle to the latter blade.

Another object of this invention is to seal each stage of compression at its top to prevent the centripetal seepage of the compressed air to the intake opening.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the speciiication proceeds and the novel features of the device -will be particularly pointed out in the claims hereto annexed.

In this specification land the annexed drawing, the invention is illustrated in the -forrn considered to be the best but it is understood that the invention is not limited to such form; .and it is also to be understood that in and by the claims following the description, it is desired to lCC .cover the invention in whatsoever form it maybe ernbodied.

This invention is illustrated in the drawings in which:

FIG. l is a Vertical central cross-section of lthe device, showing the electric motors driving the same inelevra-tion.

FlG. 2 is a side View of the device, some parts being broken away to disclose the arrangement of the impeller.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cover rotors of the impeller.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along the line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is Aa plan view of a rotor blade.

FIG. 6 is 'a modified form of the device which serves as an automobile clutch.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-section through an lair pump of a flying platform.

l FIG. 8 is a plan view, partly in section, of the airpump taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

The compressor 1 comprising the subject matter of this invention, includes ra housing 2. The latter consists of a casing 3 rand a cover 4, forming -a circular impeller chamber 6 and a volute passage 7 encircling said chamber for about three-fourths of the periphery thereof and terminating with an outlet 8 tangential to lthe chamber 6. The cover 4 is provided with fair intake openings 10 located at the center thereof. The casing -3 and the cover ,p

4 are firmly held together by a plurality of bolts 11 passing through matching ears 12 formed on the periphe thereof.

The housing 2 is supported by and between two electric motors 14 and 15 by means of `studs 16, provided on the outer sides of said housing, iand lugs 17, provided on said motors, said studs and said lugs being firmly connected by screws 18. The motors 14 and 15 are secured to and rest on supports 19 and '20.

The compressor 1 also includes an impeller 24 located in .the chamber 6. The impeller is designed to provide multi-stage progressive compression, and consists of a casing rotor 25 iand a cover rotor v26 rotated in opposite directions by said motors as shall hereinafter be described in detail.

The rotor 2S comprises a disk 30, `the outer side of which is parallel to and in close vicinity with the inner side of vthe casing 3. The inner side of said disk 30 is formed with three concentric ridges: the central ridge `31, the middle ridge 32 and the outer ridge 33, divided by grooves 35 and 36 therebetween and having 4an outer groove 37 -at the periphery of said disk. The width of the ridges and the grooves progressively diminishes from the center toward the periphery inV such proportion that `the area of each of said ridges land grooves gradually diminishes from the center toward the periphery, that is to say, that the area of the ridge 31 is `larger than that of the groove 35, and the latter is larger than :that of the ridge 32 and so on.

The first stage of compression of said impeller is formed V on the ridge 31 by a series 'of large .blades 4i) equally spaced circumferentially. lf desired, auxiliary blades 41 of much smaller width may be provided between said large blades 40. The latter blades with assistance of the auxiliary blades AAll draw air into the impeller 24 as hereinafter will be explained in detail.

The ridges 32 and 33 also are provided 4with blades 45 and 46 respectively, which form separate stages -of compression. The free ends of the blades 40` and 41, 45 and 46 are connected by rings 47, 48 and 49 respectively, each ring -being of substantially the same width as the respective ridge in the disk 30. n

The rotor 26 comprises a disk 50, the outer side of which is parallel and in the near proximity -to thefinner' side of the cover. The disk 5i) is provided with central intake openings 54 located opposite the intake openings in the cover 4. The disks 30 and 50 are coaxial and parallel. The latter disk also has three concentric ridges 51, 52 and 53, located opposite the respective concentric grooves 35, 36 and 37 in the disk 30 and being of substantially the same width. The disk 50 is also provided with three concentric ring shaped grooves 55, 56 and 57 respectively located opposite the ridges 31, 32 and 33 of the disk 30 respectively and being of substantially the same Width. The ridge 51 is provided with a series of large blades 60, which are narrower than the blades 40, and which are equally spaced circumferentially but directed in opposite way than the blades 40. Small auxiliary blades 61 may be provided between the blades 60 to increase the etiiciency of this stage of compression. The ridges 52 and 53 are also provided with the series of blades 63 and 64 respectively, which blades are equally spaced circumferentially.

The blades 60 and 61, 63 and 64 are covered with rings 67, 68 and 69 respectively of the same width as the width of the ridges 51, 52 and 53 respectively.

The above mentioned blades, though different in size, are of the same form, except the auxiliary blades 41 and 61. Each blade, such as blade 40 shown in FIG. 5, has a tangentially directed leading edge located at the inner edge of the respective ridge, followed by an inwardly directed slightly curved portion 71, which receives the compressed air discharged from the adjoining inner series of blades, and a forwardly sharply curved outward portion 72 terminating with a discharge end at the outer edge of the ridge, thus extending the whole width of the same. The portion 72 occupies about one third of the width of the ridge. 'Ihe discharge end is located at a point on the outer periphery of the ridge slightly before where the same is intersected by a radius 73 passing through the center of the curvature of said portion 72. The portion 71 extends forwardly in direction of rotation of said blade, crosses said radius 73 and terminates at the inner circumference of said ridge about a length of the radius of the curvature of the portion 72 in front of the point of intersection of the inner circumference of said ridge with said radius. The auxiliary blades 41 and 61 are of the same configuration as the blades 40 and 60 except that one third of the inner portion 71 is cut off.

A labyrinth seal 77 is provided between the rings 47, 48 and 49 and the disk 50 and between the rings 67, 68 and 69 and the disk 30 so that no air seeps therebetween toward the center of the pump.

Labyrinth seals 78 are also provided between the disks 30 and 50 and the casing 3 and the cover 4 respectively to prevent the seepage of' the compressed air toward the intake openings 10.

The motor 14 is operatively connected to the rotor 25 by a shaft 80 which extends from said motor through the casing 3 to the disk 30 which is rigidly secured thereto by some means, such as threads 81. The motor is operatively connected to the rotor 26 `by a shaft 83 extending from said motor through the cover 4 and through the disk 50. The latter is secured to said shaft 83 by some means, such as threads, for rotation therewith. The free end 84 of the latter shaft is journalled in a bearing 85 located in the free end of the shaft 80. By this arrangement both disks are kept in perfect alignment and are maintained at a desired distance therebetween. The casing rotor 25 is rotated in contra-clockwise direction looking at FIG. 2 and the rotor 26 is rotated in opposite direction, viewing the same gure, but at substantially the same speed.

The device operates as follows. The blades 40 and the auxiliary blades 41 of the rotor 25, constituting the rst stage of compression, draw air through the intake openings 10, compress the same and throw it centrifugally and forwardly against the blades 60 and the auxiliary blades 61 of the rotor 26 in the second stage of compression, rotating in the opposite direction. The compressed air is violently hit by said blades and further compressed into still smaller volume, as the blades of the second stage of compression are of smaller area and the volume of space occupied `by said second stage is smaller than that occupied by the first stage. The compressed air cannot escape centripetally, as the space between the second stage of compression and the disk 50 is closed by the labyrinth seal 77. Hence the second stage of compression increases the compression of the air compressed by the first stage,

Therefrom the compressed air is thrown against the blades 45 of the rotor 25 in the third stage of compression. The blades 45 being of smaller area than the blades 60 of the second stage, and consequently the third stage of compression occupying smaller volume, the compressed air passing into third stage of compression is further cornpressed therein.

This operation is repeated with each stage of compression, the air being compressed into smaller and still smaller volume until it is finally thrown into the volute passage 7 and is discharged therefrom through the discharge outlet 8.

The ratio of progressive decrease of volume from one stage of compression to the other varies depending on the desired rpm.: greater ratio of progressive decrease requires greater r.p.m.

The impeller could be operated by a single source of power suitably `geared to rotate the rotors 25 and 26 in opposite directions.

The above described impeller may be used to compress or transfer air, gases, refrigerants, uids, water, oils and lubricants. It may also be used as a fluid drive, clutch or torque converter, and in a progressively smaller volume.

FIG. 6 shows a fluid clutch 100 which includes a housing 101 consisting of two parts held together by bolts 102 and nuts 103 passing through ears 104. The housing 101 encases an impeller 108 consisting of a power rotor 109 and a driven rotor 110 secured to a power shaft 111 and a driven shaft 112 respectively. The latter shafts pass through bearings 113 and have seals arranged in the bearing boxes 115 to prevent the escape of fluid from the housing.

The rotors 109 and 110 are of exactly the same type and are arranged the same way as the above described rotors 25 and 26, except that the labyrinth seals may be omitted between said rotors. The housing `101 is considerably wider than the impeller 108, thus providing a considerable storage space 117 for fluid.

The fluid clutch operates as follows: the motor rotates the shaft 111 and the rotor 109. The blades of the latter suck fluid from the space 117 through the intake openings 118 in both rotors and throw it against the blades of the driven rotor 110. As fluids are practically incompressible, the passage of Huid from one stage to another stage of progressively smaller volume will meet progressively greater resistance. The resistance will be particularly great in the last series of blades, thus virtually locking the blades and forcing the same to rotate in the same direction. When the rotor 109 will rotate sufciently fast, the rotor 110 will rotate with substantially the same speed. The uid after having been forced through the impeller 108 is discharged from the same against the circular wall 120 of the housing. The closer the wall 120 is to the periphery of said impeller the sooner the slippage between the rotors 109 and 110 ceases thus forcing said rotors to rotate in the same direction with substantially the same speed.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an arrangement of an impeller 130 in a ying platform 131. The impeller is of the same type and construction as the one shown in FIGS. 1-5. The impeller 130 is encased in a housing 132 consisting of two halves 134 and 135 held together by bolts and nuts. The upper half 134 is provided with an intake 135 communicating with the series of ducts 136 formed i by radial partitions 137 arranged on the top of said half aser-gees 134 and closed by a cover 138. The latter has a plurality of intake slots 1411 arranged at the periphery of said cover so that the air is sucked through said slots 149 through said ducts 136 to said intake 135and into said impeller 130. Considerable stability of the flying platform is achieved by the above described arrangement of the air ducts. The impeller 130 compresses the air and throws it outwardly toward the circular vertical wall 141 of said housing 132 and is discharged through the peripheral outlets 142 in the lower half 135 of said housing.

The suction of the air through the slots 14n and the discharge of the compressed air through the outlets 142 is sufficient to raise the flying platform from the ground.

Motors 15u and 15.1- rotate the rotors of the impeller 130 in opposite directions at the same speed. The above motors are operatively connected to said rotors by shafts 152 and 153 respectively. The motors 1511 and .1.51 are secured to the housing 132 by studs 155. 1f desired, vanes may lbe provided in the path of the air ejected through the outlets 142 for steering purposes.

I claim:

1. An air compressor comprising a housing and an impeller therein; said housing having an impeller chamber and a volute passage at the periphery thereof terminating with an outlet opening; said impeller consisting of two rotors arranged in said housing for rotation in opposite directions; each rotor comprising a disk, both of said disks being coaxial and parallel; each of said disks carrying a plurality of series of blades arranged in spaced concentric rings on the side of the disk facing the other disk; the series of one disk being located in the spaces between the series of the other disk; each succeeding series of blades in said impeller being of progressively smaller radial width in direction to the periphery of the impeller than the radial Width of the preceding series of blades; said air compressor having an'intake at its lateral center for admitting air into the impeller wherein the air is progressively compressed by successive series of blades rotating alternately in opposite direction and ejected centrifugally into the volute passage; and means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions.

2. An air compressor comprising a housing and an impeller therein; said housing having an impeller chamber and a volute passage at the periphery thereof terminating with an outlet opening; said impeller consisting of two rotors arranged in said housing for rotation in opposite directions; each rotor comprising a disk, both of said disks being coaxial and parallel; each of said disks being formed with a plurality of concentric ridges separated by grooves, said ridges and grooves being of progressively diminishing areas toward the periphery of said disks; a series of blades carried by said ridges and extending therefrom into the grooves of the other disk; said air com- 3. An impeller for an air pump consisting of two rotors t arranged for rotation in opposite directions; each of said rotors comprising a disk, which is coaxial with and parallel to the other disk and a plurality of blades carried l by each of said disks on the side thereof facing the other y ing the spaces between the series of the blades of the other disk, each series of blades of said impeller occupying a ring-shaped volume, said volumes progressively diminishing with each series in direction to the periphery of the impeller, an inlet openingv near the center of one of thedisks for drawing air into said impeller, said blades being arranged to draw air through said central opening and compress it progressively by the series of blades rotating in alternate directions successively.

4. An air compressor comprising a housing and an impeller therein; said housing having an impeller chamber and a volute passage at the periphery thereof terminating with an outlet opening; said limpeller consisting of two rotors arranged in said housing for rotation in opposite directions; each rotor comprising a disk, both disks being coaxial and parallel; each of said disks being formed with a plurality of concentric ridges separated by concentric grooves, the grooves of one disk being opposite the corresponding ridges of the other disk, said grooves and ridges of each disk being of progressively diminishing areas in direction from the center to the peripheryof the disks; a series of the blades carried by each of said ridges and extending therefrom toward the corresponding grooves in the other disk; blade rings carried by the ends of said blades connecting thesame and extending into said corresponding grooves of the other disk; means for preventing the seepage `of air between said rings and said UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,091,581 Ljungstrom Mar. 3, 1914 1,123,589 Portel' Jan. 5, 1915 1,291,871 Hein Ian. 2l, 1919 1,462,592 Bentley July 24, 1923 1,468,555 Bonom Sept. 18, 1923 1,714,561 Johnston May 28, 1929 2,318,990 Doran May 11, 1943 2,335,445 Richard Nov. 30, 1943 2,374,671 Dupont May l, 1945 2,654,223 Wang Oct. 6, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,253 Great Britain of 1878 21,905 Great Britain of 1906 83,294 Austria Mar. 25,1921 

